The regional council of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) of Souss-Massa-Draa was held on Sunday morning at the party's regional secretariat headquarters under the chairmanship of the regional secretary, Abdelkrim Madoun, and in the presence of Amina Ouchelh and Driss Lachgar, members of the Political Bureau. This important session of the Regional Council was held under the theme: "The unity of the left and the consolidation of the values of authentic citizenship, the hope of all democrats in our country".

In a short speech, the regional secretary of the USFP welcomed the two members of the Political Bureau as well as the council members, reminded them of the particular context in which this session is being held, and wished the council's work every success. He then gave the floor to Amina Ouchelh, who gave a presentation to the council in which she notably addressed issues relating to the internal organisation and functioning of the party apparatus, while recalling the various stages achieved, in particular the resolutions of the 8th National Congress. She then addressed the issue concerning the preparation of the 9th National Congress, which is to be held next September as decided recently by the party's National Council on the proposal of the Political Bureau.

Like all congresses of the Rose party, the 9th National Congress must mark an important milestone in the life of the USFP. Therefore, its preparation must be the business of the militants, specified Amina Ouchelh. This will therefore require an exceptional effort from everyone. And the Souss-Massa-Draa region, which has always been at the forefront of all the struggles led by the party, will once again be present at this great historical event, and will know how to contribute, as it has always done, to the success of this congress on which the entire Ittihadi family pins great hopes.

In his presentation, Driss Lachgar addressed the political aspect. While recalling that since the last legislative elections, Morocco has been led by a conservative government and that after the first hundred days in power, it is clear that the current government has not yet translated its political choices into concrete actions in favour of citizens whose expectations are very high, and that the new Finance Act, which has just been finally voted on by Parliament, is more or less a carbon copy of the one presented by the former government. While the implementation of the new Constitution requires the adoption of several bills, the government has so far only presented one relating to appointments to high-responsibility positions, which, far from constituting progress in this area, is rather a regression that has greatly worried the Ittihadi opposition, whose constructive proposals have been rejected. This is not to mention the recent appointments within the territorial administration which continue to spark numerous comments and the failure to respect the commitments made to unemployed graduates...

After recalling that the analysis of the party's situation was widely debated during the meeting held in Agadir on 24 and 25 March 2012 at the initiative of the party's regional secretariat, Driss Lachgar insisted on the fact that the first test awaiting the entire Ittihadi family is undoubtedly the 9th Congress, which must be the subject of meticulous preparation and must imperatively be the congress of the gathering of all party militants. As it is part of a particular conjuncture, it must also be the congress of change, renewal and openness to youth and women to achieve the desired parity.

After these two presentations, the floor was given to the members of the regional council. There were about twenty interventions through which the participants praised the action of the Ittihadi opposition in Parliament, which was distinguished by its courageous and responsible positions and its concrete proposals. They also stressed the need for the reorganisation of the party apparatus with a view to good governance, and issued recommendations which were the subject of a final declaration.

Falling within the framework of advanced regionalisation, and with a view to ensuring better autonomy for the party's regional structures, the council notably proposed the adoption of a federal system with regional parties endowed with all decision-making and management powers at the level of their region.

Finally, it should be noted that the two members of the Political Bureau held a meeting with the provincial secretaries on Saturday afternoon.